Page 160 of Prey for You

He shook his head, trying to resist me at first, but I was growing frantic. “I’m sorry, Sam. Forgive me, please. Please…Please.”

~ SAM ~

It hit like a Mac truck. Not just because Jeremy had his hands on her.

I’d always half suspected that prick wanted her, but she’d been so fragile, and it felt too close to home, so I never asked. The way she talked about him, there’d never been any hint of attraction. I always thought she saw him like a fucked-up older brother.

But she didn’t tell me.

So did that mean there was more? Was that why she’d been so bothered by what he brought her about me?

Bridget was frantic, curling into my chest, whispering her apologies over and over.

“He’s never meant anything to me—and I haven’t to him, either. It was one time. A really messed up situation—please, Sam. Forgive me. I love you, please—”

It finally registered that she soundedterrified.And a little bit childish.

I blinked out of my thoughts and took her face in my hands and made her meet my eyes. “Babe… this isn’t… I’m notleavingyou. I’m shocked. And a little pissed. You were so mad at me for holding things back.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry, Sam. Please!”

I kissed her quickly, but I was shaking. She reached for my jeans, but I shook my head and grabbed her hands.

“You’re rejecting me?” she breathed.

Shit. “No. No, that’s not… God, I don’t even know how to say this now,” I muttered.

But I took her hands and held them, then looked in her eyes.

“Bridget… Can’t you see? This is myout.This is the leverage I need.

Bridget went still. “But… how?”

I stared at her. Did she really not understand? “Babe, this taints everything about this case and the charges. Jeremy was investigated for this and they covered it up. Whether he had feelings for you or not, he was sexually involved with an informant. And then when you took him the next job and told him I was good, he brought the charges even against your will. Itreeksof misconduct… it’s my out,” I repeated lamely.

She was stunned. “I never… I had no idea. I thought it was allowed butfrowned upon.The Feds have pearl clutchers, too,” she said with a hesitant smile. I shook my head. I couldn’t smile yet.

“Bridget, this ishuge.”

Then she blinked and her mouth dropped open. “That must be why he got so scared.”

I frowned. “What?”

“When I threatened him the other day—I wasn’t thinking of this. I was thinking about the fact that he drove drunk that night. I knew there were reports about him being at my house, and I knew he was drunk. I thought… I thought I could… I don’t know, blackmail him or—”

“Bridget,what?!”

“But he must have thought this was what I meant. I didn’t realize… No wonder he got so mad.” She shook her head. “What a clusterfuck. I wish I’d known. I would have told you, Sam. If I knew that could get you off, I would have told you. I thought he was investigated for the drinking. I had no idea—" She cut off.

I looked at her warily. “What?”

Bridget licked her lips like she was scared, her eyes wide. She whispered. “No matter what the answer is, I still love you,” she breathed, smoothing the front of my hoodie. “Is there… is there any way to keep it out of the media? I’m glad if it gets you free, Sam. I’ll testify, whatever. But if we could… if we could not have to talk to journalists… Jeremy and I were both adults. And I made the first move. I don’t want people having those questions—about you and me, I mean. If they think I fell to him, they’ll think I’m being used by you too.”

I sucked in a deep breath, unsure how I felt about that. A part of me wanted retri-fucking-bution. But I’d been talking to her about forgiveness for two months… now it was my turn. Was I going to be a complete hypocrite?

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I’ll talk to my lawyers.”

She nodded, breathing out heavily as she relaxed and turned to sit, letting her butt fall between my thigh and the arm of the couch, then leaned her head against my shoulder.

---